Driving safely requires a motorist to use their eyes, hands and mind. Anything that takes one or more of these focuses away from their driving duties is considered a distraction. When a driver is distracted, they can’t react to things that happen on the road as safely as they likely would otherwise.
Distracted driving is a contributing factor in approximately nine crashes that result in fatalities each day in the U.S. Not all of these are passengers in other vehicles. Many distracted driving crashes involve pedestrians and bicyclists.
Even short distractions can be dangerous
Some drivers, especially those who have been driving for a long time, think they’re skilled enough to multitask when they drive. This isn’t ever a good thing for a driver to believe because even short distractions can be fatal.
One possible “really quick” distraction that drivers may not think is a big deal is reading a text message. This takes an average of five seconds, which doesn’t seem that long; however, a vehicle travels the length of a regulation football field in that time if the driver is going 55 miles per hour.
Many distractions are preventable
Many of the distractions that drivers have to deal with are preventable because they involve choice. For example, a driver doesn’t have to change the music or climate control while the vehicle is in motion. They don’t need to check their messages or take care of personal grooming like putting on make-up while they drive. Some distractions aren’t choices – like an animal running into the road – but most are.
Victims of distracted driving crashes may suffer catastrophic injuries that require intensive medical care. That medical care, coupled with a reduction in income due to the injury, can lead to financial devastation. Understanding that such harm likely could have been prevented can be a little maddening.
Thankfully, victims of a preventable distracted driving wreck may opt to pursue a compensation claim to hold the negligent driver accountable for their damages. This must be done within the time limit set by state law, so it may behoove these victims to work with a legal representative who can assist them with getting their case going as quickly as possible.
